M4.7 Earthquake 7 km ENE of Cañete, Chile — May 10, 2026
2026-05-10 08:03:57 UTC (1 hour ago) · approx. 3:03 AM UTC-5 local
Aftershock of the M5.5 mainshock.
On May 10, 2026 at 08:03 UTC, a magnitude 4.7 shallow crustal earthquake struck 7 km ENE of Cañete, Chile, at a depth of 30.6 km and coordinates -37.7665°, -73.3233°. This earthquake was detected by 39 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 340, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 169 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.1 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.5 mainshock that occurred 6 hours ago 27 km ENE of Cañete, Chile. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 1 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
The epicenter is located in Chile, a region characterized by the Peru-Chile Trench, where the Nazca Plate subducts beneath South America at 65-80 mm per year. The nearest mapped fault system is the Peru-Chile Trench. View all earthquakes in Chile.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
-73.3233°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Cañete, Chile?
The magnitude 4.7 earthquake that struck 7 km ENE of Cañete, Chile on May 10, 2026 at 08:03 UTC had a depth of 30.6 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -37.7665°, -73.3233°, which is 7 km ENE of Cañete, Chile. View all earthquakes in Chile.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.7 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.5 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.7 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.5 mainshock that occurred earlier 27 km ENE of Cañete, Chile. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
Has Chile had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Chile was the M9.5 Great Chilean earthquake of May 22, 1960. Today's magnitude 4.7 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000swni). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 10, 2026). M4.7 Earthquake 7 km ENE of Cañete, Chile — May 10, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000swni/